Biography of Olaf RiechelAlameda County, CA Biographies

OLAF RIECHEL
Cement has taken its rightful place high in the list of the leading building materials and is now practically indispensable
in the construction of modern business blocks and residences. One of the leading cement contracting firms in the
East Bay district is that of Riechel & Bredhoff. The senior member, Olaf Riechel, was born in Chicago, Illinois,
February 21, 1878, and received his early education in the schools of that city. When twelve years of age he accompanied
his parents on their removal to Alameda, California, and in the public schools of this city completed his studies.
When seventeen years of age he went to work for Powell Brothers, with whom he learned the trade of cement working.
He was promoted to the position of foreman and eventually became superintendent of construction, having in charge
the erection of the Orpheum Theater building and other, important business structures, as well as large apartment
houses and fine residences. He remained with that firm for twenty years and in 1918, formed a partnership with
H. G. Bredhoff, under the firm name of Riechel & Bredhoff, and engaged in the cement contracting business.
They are doing a large business in their line, particularly as subcontractors, besides which they have laid many
miles of cement walks and curbs in the East Bay cities. They did the cement work on the Heald Business College
building, the Lynn building and the Barber block, as well as apartment houses and homes, and also erected the cement
walls around the Pacific Gas and Electric plant on Thirty first street, Oakland. They have likewise been very scucessful
in building and selling homes.

H. G. Bredhoff was born in San Francisco, California, on the 8th of March, 1888, and received his educational training
in the public schools of Alameda and Oakland. On leaving school he learned the trade of cement worker and was employed
on the construction of the old Realty Syndicate building in Oakland. He was with Powel Brothers for sixteen years,
leaving the employ of that firm to enter into business with Mr. Riechel. He is a member of the Fraternal Order
of Eagles